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Images from the Pioneer Session
1949 - 1950

Mr G.H. Duncan addressing the first assembly 1949

NEWCASTLE TEACHERS’ COLLEGE
MR G. H. DUNCAN ADDRESSING THE FIRST ASSEMBLY
TUESDAY, 1ST MARCH, 1949.

STAFF : LEFT SIDE: Mr D. Aitken, Miss K. Barnes, Mr E. Crago, Mr C. Ferrier, Mr J. Moore, Mr J. Staines.

STAFF : RIGHT SIDE: Mis M. McIntosh, Mr C.Hoffman, Mr W. Wilcox, Miss N. Thompson, Miss M. Melville

ABSENT: Mr A. Barcan, Mr H. Gillard

Photograph courtesy of Isabelle Paton

FROM “NEWCASTLE MORNING HERALD” WEDNESDAY, 2ND MARCH, 1949.
COLLEGE MAY BE READY MARCH 14

The Principal of Newcastle Teachers’ College (Mr G. H. Duncan) said yesterday that he hoped to be able to start classes on Monday, March 14.

By then he thought painters and carpenters should have finished. Linoleum should have been laid and toilet facilities completed, he said. Mr Duncan said he also hoped by then accommodation would have been found for the homeless remainder of the 164 students so far enrolled for first-year studies. These students came from places such as Murwillumbah, Wingham, Lismore, Taree, Kempsey, Dorrigo and Ulmarra. Some had still to come. When the college opened yesterday, students spent most of the day filling in admission cards and numerous circulars and applications…such as tram and bus passes. From to-day they will attend district schools as observers till the college is ready. When classes start students will begin to study in 14 subjects incorporated in the first-year course…principles of education, educational psychology, social studies, geography, history, mathematics, music, speech, dramatic art, method of teaching English and English literature, arts and crafts, physical education and biology, plus one optional subject from the curriculum.

Practice Teaching
They will spend one morning a week in the demonstration school at Junction to learn practical teaching technique. Twice a year they will be sent to schools for practice teaching, where their work will be observed and supervised by members of the college staff. The schools will be in the Newcastle area, probably within seven miles of the college. To assist students with any problems arising from the course, Miss H. McIntosh and Mr J. W.. Moore have been appointed staff councillors. At their first assembly at 10.30 yesterday students were told by Mr Duncan that there was a changing concept of the teacher’s function. However important the job of teaching basic skills might be, it was now recognised that the profession of developing individual pupils was even more important. Because their building was not complete, there were certain difficulties to be overcome. It was typical of the spirit of young Australians that those difficulties would be met cheerfully.

ON THE STAFF
Mr Duncan discussed the course and introduced members of the staff. They are :-

Mr. J. W. Staines, ( Vice Principal)
Since leaving Armidale Teachers’ College, has had teaching experience ranging from one-teacher schools to large primary and secondary schools. He graduated as an evening student from Sydney University with first class honours in psychology, and was awarded the University Medal. After a post-graduate course in education from Melbourne University, he was appointed lecturer in education at Sydney Teachers’ College. Mr Staines has also had lecturing experience at Sydney University, in the Department of Tutorial Studies and the W.E.A.

Mr. D. J. Aitken, B. A. (Psychology and Education)
A native of Cessnock, Mr Aitken has had considerable teaching experience in primary and secondary schools. A graduate of Sydney University, he is the only evening student ever to graduate with double first class honours , which he gained in Psychology and History. In his University courses, he won the Lithgow Scholarship for Psychology twice in succession. Mr. Aitken, who was educated at Cessnock and Maitland Boys High Schools, has lately been on the staff of the Division of Research, Guidance and Adjustment in the Education Department as District School Counsellor at Sydney Technical High School.

Miss M. Melville (Physical Education)
Received her training at Balmain Teachers’ College. She has made a special study of children’s ballet, which she has produced at the Conservatorium. She is a student of the contemporary dance, and excels a ice skating, and is well versed in voice production, radio work and fencing. She was an officer in the W.A.A.F. at No. 2 Training Group Headquarters for two years.

Miss C. Barnes, M. A. (English)
Has first class honours in English and second class honours in Philosophy. At the end of her philosophy course she won a scholarship for further study. She has had a number of short stories accepted for publication. Miss Barnes has had wide primary and secondary experience and was lately English Mistress at Dover Heights High School.

Mr. C. H. Hoffmann, M.A. ,Dip. Ed. (Dramatic Art)
Has taught in primary and secondary fields. After serving as a regimental officer in the A.I.F., he became an education officer in the A.I.F. with the rank of Captain, with a total of five years service. Upon demobilization he joined the Commonwealth Office of Education, where he was employed till his present appointment.

Mr. Harold W. Gillard (Physical Education)
After extensive experience in primary and secondary teaching, was appointed a physical education adviser and then a physical education supervisor in the Department of Education. He is a prominent Rugby League referee, having handled the Englishmen on their recent tour and Country v City fixtures in 1948. Mr. Gillard is also a tennis player and a cricketer, having taken part in Country Week fixtures in both.

Mr. J. W. Moore, B. Sc., Agr. (Biology)
Was for some years a secondary teacher, specialising in agricultural science, physics and chemistry, and was appointed to his present post from the staff of Newcastle Technical High School. He served in Bomber Command, R.A.A.F., and saw action in England, Malta, the Middle East and North Africa with the rank of flight lieutenant.

Mr Charles L. Ferrier, B. A., B.Sc., Dip. Ed., (Mathematics)
Lately Mathematics Master at Broken Hill High School. He is well qualified in physics and chemistry as well as mathematics, in which subject he is an honours gradate of Sydney University. He was an Education Officer for four years in the R.A.A.F.

Mr E. H. Crago, B. Sc. (Geography)
Lately on the staff of Cowra High School. He was in the R.A.A.F. for five years as an Education Officer. He was formerly Vice-President of the N.S.W. Geographical Society and is the President of the N.S.W. Geographic Teachers’ Association.

Miss N. H. Thompson (Librarian)
For some years was assistant librarian at Sydney and Armidale Teachers’ Colleges. Previously she had had teaching experience at Burwood Home Science High School and Parramatta High School.

Miss Hilda McIntosh (Music)
Qualifications in music include D.S.C.M., I.R.S.M., I. Mus. A. In 1938 she gained the Diploma of Music at the State Conservatorium. Educated at Cessnock High and Maitland Girls’ High , she has had teaching experience in Infants, Primary and High Schools. Her father, Mr E. J. McIntosh, of Toronto is a retired headmaster with whom she began her teaching career.

Mr W. F. Wilcox (Arts and Crafts)
Trained at Sydney Teachers’ College. His teaching service covers all fields in his subject in primary and secondary schools in various parts of the state. He was on the lecturing staff at Balmain and Wagga Teachers’ Colleges for a number of years, and is particularly interested in all branches of student activity, especially swimming.

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